Electronic apparatus and face image display method

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a two-dimensional face thumbnail display area includes a plurality of face image display areas which are arranged in a matrix including a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. A plurality of time zones each having the same time length, which are obtained by dividing a total time length of the video content data by a number of the plurality of columns at equal intervals, are allocated to the plurality of columns, respectively. A face image list display process unit displays, based on time stamp information corresponding to each of the face images, face images, which belong to the time zone allocated to each column, on the same number of face image display areas of each column as the number of rows, by arranging the face images in an order of time of appearance of the face images.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2007-202321, filed Aug. 2, 2007, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

One embodiment of the invention relates to an electronic apparatus and aface image display method for displaying a face image which appears invideo content data.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, an electronic apparatus, such as a video recorder or apersonal computer, is capable of recording and playing back variousvideo content data such as TV broadcast program data. In this case,although tiles are added to the respective video content data itemsstored in the electronic apparatus, it is difficult for a user tounderstand, from the title alone, what kind of content each videocontent data contains. In order to understand the content of each videocontent data, it is thus necessary to play back the video content data.In the case of playing back video content data of a long total time,however, even if a quick forward function or the like is used, a greatdeal of time is needed.

Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2001-309269 discloses anapparatus having an appearing person list display function. Thisapparatus has a function of displaying, in an arranged order, the faceimages of persons appearing in video content as a list of personsappearing in the video content.

However, even if the list of persons is merely displayed, the usercannot understand in which of time zones of the video content data itemsuch persons appear. For example, the user, in some cases, wishes toselectively play back video content of a time zone in which a person (orpersons), in whom the user is interested, appears.

It is necessary, therefore, to realize a novel function for presentingwhich persons appear in which time zones in the whole video contentdata, and in what order of appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A general architecture that implements the various feature of theinvention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Thedrawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrateembodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view showing an example of theexternal appearance of an electronic apparatus according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing an example of the systemconfiguration of the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram for describing a face image listdisplay function of the electronic apparatus according to theembodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary block diagram showing the functionalconfiguration of a program which is used in the electronic apparatusaccording to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows an example of an indexing view screen which is displayed ona display device by electronic apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a structure example of a face thumbnail display area whichis included in the indexing view screen shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary view for explaining the relationship between theface thumbnail display area and a bellows thumbnail display area, whichare included in the indexing view screen shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating an example of theprocedure of a face image list display process which is executed by theelectronic apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows a state in which face images are classified into categoriesby the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating an example of theprocedure of a playback process which is executed by the electronicapparatus according to the embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating an example of theprocedure of a process for varying the number of rows and the number ofcolumns in the face thumbnail display area, which is executed by theelectronic apparatus according to the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments according to the invention will be describedhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In general,according to one embodiment of the invention, an electronic apparatusincludes a face image extraction unit and a face image list displayprocess unit. The face image extraction unit is configured to extractface images of persons from a plurality of frames which constitute videocontent data, and to output time stamp information indicative of timepoints at which the extracted face images appear. The face image listdisplay process unit is configured to display a list of the extractedface images on a two-dimensional display area. The two-dimensionaldisplay area includes a plurality of face image display areas which arearranged in a matrix including a plurality of rows and a plurality ofcolumns, a plurality of time zones each having the same time length,which are obtained by dividing a total time length of the video contentdata by the number of the plurality of columns at equal intervals, areallocated to the plurality of columns, respectively. The face image listdisplay process unit displays, based on the time stamp informationcorresponding to each of the extracted face images, the face images,which belong to the time zone allocated to each column, on the faceimage display areas of each column, by arranging the face images in anorder of time of appearance of the face images.

To begin with, referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the structure of anelectronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention isdescribed. The electronic apparatus according to this embodiment isrealized, for example, by a notebook portable personal computer 10functioning as an information processing apparatus.

The personal computer 10 is capable of recording and playing back videocontent data, such as broadcast program data and video data which isinput from an external device. Specifically, the personal computer 10has a TV function for executing viewing/listening and recording ofbroadcast program data which is broadcast by a TV broadcast signal. ThisTV function is realized, for example, by a TV application program whichis preinstalled in the personal computer 10. In addition, the TVfunction includes a function of recording video data which is input froman external AV device, and a function of playing back recorded videodata and recorded broadcast program data.

Further, the personal computer 10 has a face image list display functionfor displaying, for instance, a list of face images of persons whoappear in video content data, such as video data and broadcast programdata, which is stored in the personal computer 10. This face image listdisplay function is implemented, for example, as one of functionsincluded in the TV function. The face image list display function is oneof video indexing functions for presenting, for instance, outlines ofvideo content data to a user. This face image list display function canpresent, to the user, which persons appear in which time zones in thewhole video content data, and in what order of appearance.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view that shows the state in which a displayunit of the computer 10 is opened. The computer 10 comprises a computermain body 11 and a display unit 12. A display device that is composed ofa TFT-LCD (Thin Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Display) 17 is built inthe display unit 12.

The display unit 12 is attached to the computer main body 11 such thatthe display unit 12 is freely rotatable between an open position where atop surface of the computer main body 11 is exposed, and a closedposition where the top surface of the computer main body 11 is covered.The computer main body 11 has a thin box-shaped casing. A keyboard 13, apower button 14 for powering on/off the computer 10, an input operationpanel 15, a touch pad 16 and speakers 1SA, 18B are disposed on the topsurface of the computer main body 11.

The input operation panel 15 is an input device that inputs an eventcorresponding to a pressed button. The input operation panel 15 has aplurality of buttons for activating a plurality of functions. Thebuttons include operation buttons for controlling a TV function(viewing/listening, recording, and playback of recorded broadcastprogram data/video data). In addition, a remote-control unit interfaceunit 20, which executes communication with a remote-control unit thatcontrols the TV function of the computer 10, is provided on a frontsurface of the computer main body 11. The remote-control interface unit20 is composed of, e.g. an infrared signal receiving unit.

An antenna terminal 19 for TV broadcast is provided, for example, on aright side surface of the computer main body 11. In addition, on a rearsurface of the computer main body 11, there is provided an externaldisplay connection terminal corresponding to, e.g. HDMI (high-definitionmultimedia interface) standard. The external display connection terminalis used to output video data (motion video data), which is included invideo content data such as broadcast program data, to an externaldisplay.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the system configuration of the computer 10 isdescribed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the computer 10 includes a CPU 101, a north bridge102, a main memory 103, a south bridge 104, a graphics processing unit(GPU) 105, a video memory (VRAM) 105A, a sound controller 106, aBIOS-ROM 109, a LAN controller 110, a hard disk drive (HOD) 111, a DVDdrive 112, a video processor 113, a memory 113A, a wireless LANcontroller 114, an IEEE 1394 controller 115, an embeddedcontroller/keyboard controller IC (EC/KBC) 116, a TV tuner 117, and anEEPROM 118

The CPU 101 is a processor which controls the operation of the computer10. The CPU 101 executes an operating system (OS) 201 and variousapplication programs such as a TV application program 202, which areloaded from the hard disk drive (HOD) 111 into the main memory 103. TheTV application program 202 is software for executing the TV function.The TV application program 202 executes, for example, a live process forviewing/listening to broadcast program data which is received by the TVtuner 117, a recording process for recording broadcast program data inthe HDD 111, and a playback process for playing back recorded broadcastprogram data/video data. The CPU 101 also executes a system BIOS (BasicInput/Output System) that is stored in the BIOS-ROM 109. The system BIOSis a program for hardware control.

The north bridge 102 is a bridge device that connects a local bus of theCPU 101 and the south bridge 104. The north bridge 102 includes a memorycontroller that access-controls the main memory 103. The north bridge102 has a function of executing communication with the CPU 105 via, e.g.a PCI EXPRESS serial bus.

The GPU 105 is a display controller for controlling the LCD 17 that isused as a display monitor of the computer 10. A display signal, which isgenerated by the GPU 105, is sent to the LCD 17. In addition, the GPU105 can send a digital video signal to an external display device 1 viaan HDMI control circuit 3 and an HDMI terminal 2.

The HDMI terminal 2 is the above-mentioned external display connectionterminal. The HDMI terminal 2 can send both a non-compressed digitalvideo signal and a digital audio signal via a single cable to theexternal display device 1 such as a TV. The HDMI control circuit 3 is aninterface for sending the digital video signal to the external displaydevice 1, which is called “HDMI monitor”, via the HDMI terminal 2.

The south bridge 104 controls the devices on an LPC (Low Pin Count) bus,and the devices on a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus. Inaddition, the south bridge 104 includes an IDE (Integrated DriveElectronics) controller for controlling the hard disk drive (HDD) 111and DVD drive 112. The south bridge 104 also includes a function ofexecuting communication with the sound controller 106.

Further, the video processor 113 is connected to the south bridge 104via, e.g. a PCI EXPRESS serial bus.

The video processor 113 is a processor which executes various processesrelating to the above-described video indexing. The video processor 113functions, for example, as a face image extraction unit for executing aface image extraction process. Specifically, in the face imageextraction process, the video processor 113 extracts face images ofpersons from a plurality of frames which constitute video content data,and outputs, e.g. time stamp information indicating time points at whichthe extracted face images appear. The extraction of face images isexecuted, for example, by a face detection process for detecting a faceregion from each frame, and a cut-out process (trimming process) forcutting out the detected face region from the frame. The detection ofthe face region can be executed, for example, by analyzing thecharacteristics of the image of each frame and searching for a regionhaving characteristics similar to those of a pre-prepared face imagecharacteristic sample. The face image characteristic sample ischaracteristic data which is obtained by statistically processing faceimage characteristics of a plurality of persons. The memory 113A is usedas a working memory of the video processor 113.

A great deal of arithmetic operations are required for executing theface image extraction process. In the present embodiment, the videoprocessor 113, which is a dedicated processor and differs from the CPU101, is used as a back-end processor, and the video processor 113executes the face image extraction process. Therefore, the face imageextraction process can be executed without increasing the load on theCPU 101.

The sound controller 106 is a sound source device, and outputs audiodata, which is to be played back, to the speakers 18A, 18B or to theHDMI control circuit 3.

The wireless LAN controller 114 is a wireless communication device whichexecutes wireless communication of, e.g. IEEE 802.11 standard. The IEEE1394 controller 115 executes communication with an external device viaan IEEE 1394 serial bus.

The embedded controller/keyboard controller IC (EC/KBC) 116 is a 1-chipmicrocomputer in which an embedded controller for power management and akeyboard controller for controlling the keyboard (KB) 13 and touch pad16 are integrated. The embedded controller/keyboard controller IC(EC/KBC) 116 has a function of powering on/off the computer 10 inresponse to the user's operation of the power button 14. Further, theembedded controller/keyboard controller IC (EC/KBC) 116 has a functionof executing communication with the remote-control unit interface 20.

The TV tuner 117 is a receiving device which receives broadcast programdata that is broadcast by a television (TV) broadcast signal, and isconnected to the antenna terminal 19. For example, the TV tuner 117 isrealized as a digital TV tuner which can receive digital broadcastprogram data such as ground wave digital TV broadcast program data. TheTV tuner 117 also has a function of capturing video data which is inputfrom an external device.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, a description is given of a face image listdisplay function which is executed by the TV application program 202.

The face image extraction process for video content data such asbroadcast program data is executed by the video processor 113, asdescribed above. Under the control of the TV application program 202,the video processor 113 executes the face image extraction process, forexample, on video content data, such as recorded broadcast program data,which is designated by the user. In addition, the video processor 113can execute, in parallel with the recording process for storing in theHOD 111 broadcast program data which is received by the TV tuner 117,the face image extraction process on this broadcast program data.

In the face image extraction process, the video processor 113 analyzes,in units of a frame, video content data that is composed of motion videodata. The video processor 113 extracts face images of persons from aplurality of frames which constitute video content data, and outputstime stamp information indicating time points at which the extractedface images appear. As the time stamp information corresponding to eachface image, use may be made of, for instance, an elapsed time from thebeginning of video content data to the appearance of the face image, orthe frame number of a frame from which the face image is extracted.

Further, the video processor 113 outputs a size (resolution) of each ofthe extracted face images. The face detection result data (face image,time stamp information TS, and size), which is output from the videoprocessor 113, is stored in a database 111A as indexing data. Thedatabase 111A is a storage area which is provided in the HDD 111 forstoring indexing data.

The video processor 113 further executes a thumbnail image acquisitionprocess in parallel with the face image extraction process. A thumbnailimage is an image (or may be a reduced image) corresponding to each of aplurality of frames which are extracted at equal time intervals from thevideo content data. Specifically, the video processor 113 extractsframes at predetermined equal time intervals from the video contentdata, regardless of whether the frames include faces images or not, andoutputs images (thumbnail images) corresponding to the extracted framesand the time stamp information TS indicative of time points at which thethumbnail images appear. The thumbnail image acquisition result data(thumbnails, time stamp information TS), which is output from the videoprocessor 113, is also stored in the database 111A as indexing data.

The TV application program 202 includes a face image list displayprocess unit 301 for executing the face image list display function. Theface image list display process unit 301 reads out the face detectionresult data (face images, time stamp information TS, and size) from thedatabase 111A, and displays, with use of the face detection result data,a list of face images of persons, who appear in the video content data,on a two-dimensional display area (hereinafter referred to as “facethumbnail display area”). In this case, the face image list displayprocess unit 301 divides a total time length of video content data intoa plurality of time zones at equal time intervals, and selects apredetermined number of face images appearing in each time zone from theextracted face images. The face image list display process unit 301displays the selected predetermined number of face images, in units of atime zone, by arranging the face images in the order of appearance ofthe face images.

Specifically, the two-dimensional face thumbnail display area includes aplurality of face image display areas which are arranged in a matrixincluding a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. A plurality oftime zones each having the same time length, which are obtained bydividing a total time length of the video content data by the number ofthe plurality of columns at equal intervals, are allocated to theplurality of columns, respectively. On the basis of the time stampinformation TS corresponding to each face image, the face image listdisplay process unit 301 displays face images, which belong to the timezone allocated to each column, on the face image display areas of eachcolumn, by arranging the face images in the order of time of appearance.The number of the face image display areas of each column is equal tothe number of rows.

By this face image list display function, it becomes possible topresent, to the user, which persons appear in which time zones in thewhole video content data, and in what order. Specific structure examplesof the face thumbnail display areas will be described later withreference to FIG. 5 and the following Figures.

In addition, the face image list display process unit 301 reads out thethumbnail image acquisition result data (thumbnails, time stampinformation TS) from the database 111A, and displays, with use of thethumbnail image acquisition result data, the thumbnail images on athumbnail display area (hereinafter referred to as “bellows thumbnaildisplay area”) which is disposed on an upper side or a lower side of theface thumbnail display area, by arranging the thumbnail images in linein the order of time of appearance.

Depending on video content data, there is a time zone in which no faceimage appears. Thus, by displaying the thumbnail display area as well asthe face thumbnail display area, it is possible to present to the userthe content of video content data in the time zone in which no faceimage appears.

Next, referring to FIG. 4, the functional configuration of the TVapplication program 202 is described.

The TV application program 202 includes, in addition to theabove-described face image list display process section 301, a recordingprocess unit 401, an indexing control unit 402 and a playback processunit 403.

The recording process unit 401 executes a recording process forrecording in the HDD 111 broadcast program data which is received by theTV tuner 117 or video data which is input from an external device. Inaddition, the recording process unit 401 executes a programmed-recordingprocess for receiving, with use of the tuner 117, broadcast program datawhich is designated by programed-recording information (channel number,date/time) that is preset by the user, and recording the receivedbroadcast program data in the HDD 111.

The indexing control unit 402 controls the video processor 113 andcauses the video processor 113 to execute processes (face imageextraction process, thumbnail image acquisition process) for videoindexing. The user can designate whether the indexing process is to beexecuted or not, in association with each broadcast program data that isto be recorded. For example, as regards broadcast program data to berecorded, for which execution of the indexing process has beeninstructed, the indexing process is automatically started after thebroadcast program data is recorded in the HDD 111. Besides, the user maydesignate video content data, from among the video content data alreadystored in the HDD 111, for which the indexing process is to be executed.

The playback process unit 403 executes a process for playing back eachvideo content data stored in the HDD 111. The playback process unit 403has such a function that when a playback instruction event is input by auser operation in the state in which one of face images in the faceimage list of certain video content data is selected, the playbackprocess unit 403 starts playback of the video content data from a timepoint that is a predetermined time before a time point at which theselected face image appears.

Next, referring to FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, specific structures of the facethumbnail display area are described.

FIG. 5 shows an example of an indexing view screen which is displayed onthe LCD 17 by the face image list display process unit 301. The indexingview screen displays a list of face images and a list of thumbnailimages. Both the list of face images and the list of thumbnail imagesare obtained by subjecting certain broadcast program data to an indexingprocess. The indexing view screen includes the above-described facethumbnail display area for displaying the list of face images, and theabove-described bellows thumbnail display area for displaying the listof thumbnail images in a bellows format.

The term “bellows format”, in this context, is a display format in whicha selected thumbnail image is displayed in a normal size and otherthumbnail images are displayed in laterally reduced sizes. In FIG. 5, athumbnail image, which has a greater distance from a selected thumbnailimage, is more reduced in its lateral size.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the structure of the face thumbnail displayarea.

The face thumbnail display area includes a plurality of face imagedisplay areas which are arranged in a matrix including a plurality ofrows and a plurality of columns. In FIG. 6, the face thumbnail displayarea comprises 6 rows×16 columns. The number of face image display areasincluded in the face thumbnail display area is 96.

A plurality of time zones, each of which has the same time length T thatis obtained by dividing the total time length of video content data bythe number of columns (16) at equal time intervals, are allocated tocolumns 1 to 16, respectively.

For example, if the total time length of video content data is twohours, the two hours are divided into 16 time zones at equal timeintervals. In this case, the time length T of each time zone is 7.5minutes. For example, a time zone from 0:00:00 (the beginning) to0:07:30 is allocated to column 1, a time zone from 0:07:30 to 0:15:00 isallocated to column 2, and a time zone from 0:15:00 to 0:22:30 isallocated to column 3. The time length T of each time zone varies inaccordance with the total time length of video content data.

On the basis of time stamp information corresponding to face imageswhich are extracted by the video processor 113, the face image listdisplay process unit 301 displays the face images, which belong to thetime zone allocated to each column, on the six face image display areasof the associated column by arranging the six face images from the upperside to the lower side in the order of time of appearance. In this case,the face image list display process unit 301 selects face images, thenumber of which is equal to the number of rows (six), from the faceimages that belong to the time zone allocated to the column that is theobject of the display process, and arranges and displays the selectedface images, the number of which is equal to the number of rows.

As has been described above, in the face thumbnail display area, a timeaxis, having a left end position (1, 1) as a base point and a right endposition (6, 16) as an end point of video content data, is used.

The user can select the size of the face image, which is displayed oneach face image display area of the face thumbnail display area, fromamong “large”, “medium” and “small”. The number of rows and the numberof columns are varied in accordance with the size of the face imagewhich is selected by the user. The relationship between the size of theface image and the numbers of rows and columns is as follows.

(1) “large”: 3 rows×8 columns

(2) “medium”: 6 rows×16 columns

(3) “small”: 10 rows×24 columns.

In the case of “large”, each face image is displayed with a size of,e.g. 180×180 pixels. In the case of “medium”, each face image isdisplayed with a size of, e.g. 90×90 pixels. In the case of “small”,each face image is displayed with a size of, e.g. 60×60 pixels. Thedefault face image size is set at, for example, “medium”.

Each face image in the face thumbnail display area is set in one of twostates, namely, a non-selected “standard” state and a selected “focus”state. The size of the face image in the “focus” state is set to begreater than the size of the face image in the “standard” state(180×180, 90×90, or 60×60). In FIG. 6, the face image at coordinates (1,12) is in the “focus” state.

The number of thumbnail images, which are displayed in the bellowsthumbnail display area, is set at one of 240, 144, 96 and 48 inaccordance with the user setting. The default value is, e.g. 240.

The thumbnail image is set in one of two states, namely, a non-selected“standard” state and a selected “focus” state. The size of the thumbnailimage in the “focus” state is set to be greater than the size of theother thumbnail images.

Next, referring to FIG. 7, the relationship between the face thumbnaildisplay area and the bellows thumbnail display area is described.

A set of face image display areas belonging to the same column, that is,each column in the face thumbnail display area, is referred to as “largesection”. Each of divisions of the “large section” is referred to as“small section”. The number of small sections included in one largesection is given by a quotient of the number of thumbnail imagesdisplayed in the bellows thumbnail display area, which are divided bythe number of columns of the face thumbnail display area. For example,if the face thumbnail display has a size of 6 rows×16 columns and thenumber of thumbnail images displayed in the bellows thumbnail displayarea is 240, the number of small sections included in one large sectionis 15 (=240÷16). One large section includes 15 small sections. In otherwords, 15 thumbnail images belong to the time zone corresponding to onelarge section.

When a certain thumbnail image on the bellows thumbnail display area isselected, the face image list display process section 301 selects, onthe basis of time stamp information of the selected thumbnail image, acolumn (large section) from plural columns (plural large sections) inthe face thumbnail display areas, to which the time zone to which theselected thumbnail image belongs is allocated. The selected largesection is a large section which includes the selected thumbnail imageas a small section. The face image list display process section 301displays with emphasis the selected large section.

Further, the face image list display process section 301 displays avertical bar which connects the selected thumbnail image and theselected large section. The vertical bar is used in order to indicate towhich of the 15 small sections, which are included in the selected largesection, the small section corresponding to the selected thumbnail imagecorresponds. The vertical bar is displayed at the position of that smallsection of the 15 small sections included in the selected large section,which corresponds to the selected thumbnail image. For example, if theselected thumbnail image is the first image of the 15 thumbnail imagesbelonging to the time zone corresponding to a certain large section,that is, the image corresponding to the first small section of the largesection, the selected thumbnail image is connected to the left end ofthe large section by the vertical bar. On the other hand, for example,if the selected thumbnail image is the last image of the 15 thumbnailimages belonging to the time zone corresponding to a certain largesection, that is, the image corresponding to the last small section ofthe large section, the selected thumbnail image is connected to theright end of the large section by the vertical bar.

As has been described above, when a thumbnail image on the bellowsthumbnail display area is selected, a column (large section), to whichthe time zone to which the selected thumbnail image belongs isallocated, is automatically selected from a plurality of columns in thePace thumbnail display area. Thereby, the user can recognize to which ofcolumns (Large sections) in the face thumbnail display area the selectedthumbnail image corresponds. Further, by the vertical bar, the user canalso recognize to which time point in which column (large section) theselected thumbnail image corresponds.

Furthermore, the face image list display process unit 301 displays, onthe basis of the time stamp information of the selected thumbnail image,the time information on the indexing view screen, which indicates thetime point at which the selected thumbnail image appears.

A “present position change” button is an operation button for changing athumbnail image which is selected. If the user operates a left cursorkey or a right cursor key on the keyboard 13 in the stated in which the“present position change” button is focused, the thumbnail image to beselected is shifted to the left or right, for example, in units of onesmall section.

Next, referring to a flow chart of FIG. 8, a description is given of theprocedure of the display process which is executed by the face imagelist display process unit 301.

To start with, the face image list display process unit 301 sorts faceimages stored in the database 111A, on the basis of time stampinformation corresponding to these face images, in an order of time ofappearance of the face images (step S101). Then, the face image listdisplay process unit 301 determines the number of rows and the number ofcolumns in accordance with a face image size which is designated by theuser, and calculates a time zone which is allocated to each column(large section), by equally dividing the total time length of videocontent data, which is an object of indexing, by the number of columns.Then, the face image list display process unit 301 selects that numberof face images, which is equal to the number of rows, from the faceimages belonging to the time zone which is allocated to the column thatis the object of the display process (step S102). If the number of faceimages belonging to the time zone, which is allocated to the column thatis the object of the display process, is larger than the number of rows,the face image list display process unit 301 preferentially selects faceimages which, for example, are earlier in the order of time ofappearance.

Instead of the preferential selection of face images which are earlierin the order of time of appearance, the face image list display processunit 301 may preferentially select face images with high frequency ofappearance.

In this case, the face image list display process unit 301preferentially selects, from the face images belonging to a time zoneallocated to the column that is the object of the display process, faceimages with high frequency of appearance in this time zone. For example,the video processor 113 may classify face images of the same person intothe same category, on the basis of the correlation betweencharacteristic data of extracted face images. In this case, as shown inFIG. 9, the face images are classified on a person-by-person basis (i.e.on a category-by-category basis), and stored in the database 111A. InFIG. 9, category 1 represents a set of face images of a person A,category 2 represents a set of face images of a person B, and category 3represents a set of face images of a person C. The face image listdisplay process unit 301 preferentially selects the face images of thepersons with high frequency of appearance.

In the case where the number of face images belonging to the time zone,which is allocated to the column that is the object of the displayprocess, is larger than the number of rows, the face image list displayprocess unit 301 may preferentially select face images with large sizes,from the face images belonging to the time zone allocated to the columnthat is the object of the display process, on the basis of sizeinformation of each face image which is stored in the database 111A.

The size of a face image, which is extracted from a frame showing aclose-up face, is relatively large. Accordingly, as the size of theextracted face image is larger, it is highly possible that the person ofthe extracted face image is of higher importance. By preferentiallyselecting a face image with a larger size, it becomes possible topreferentially display a face image of a person who is of highimportance.

Subsequently, the face image list display process unit 301 displaysselected face images on a plurality of face image display areas in thecolumn that is the object of the display process, by arranging the faceimages in the order of time of appearance (step S103). A face image withan earlier time of appearance is displayed on a more upward face imagedisplay area, and a Lace with a later time of appearance is displayed ona more downward face image display area.

The process of steps 3102 and S103 is repeatedly executed until theprocessing on all columns is completed, while the column that is theobject of the display process is updated (step S104, S105).

If the number of face images belonging to the time zone, which isallocated to the column that is the object of the display process, isless than the number of rows, thumbnail images belonging to thecorresponding time zone may also be displayed in the column that is theobject of the display process.

If the process on all columns is completed (NO in step S104), the faceimage list display process unit 301 displays the thumbnail images, whichare stored in the database 111A, on the bellows thumbnail display areaon the basis of the time stamp information of the thumbnail images, byarranging the thumbnail images in line in the order of time ofappearance of the thumbnail images (step S106).

Next, referring to a flow chart of FIG. 10, a description is given ofthe procedure of a playback process which is executed by the playbackprocess unit 403.

When an event of instructing playback of video content data is input inaccordance with a user operation (YES in step S201), the playbackprocess unit 403 cooperates with the face image list display processunit 301 and determines whether a face image on the face thumbnaildisplay area for the video content data is selected or not (step S202).If there is a face image which is selected (YES in step S202), theplayback process unit 403 detects a time point at which the selectedface image appears, on the basis of the time stamp information of theselected face image (step S203). The playback process unit 403 startsplayback of the video content data from a time point which is apredetermined time before the detected time point, for example, from atime point which is two seconds before (step S204).

When an invent of instructing playback of the video content data isinput in the state in which a certain thumbnail image on the bellowsthumbnail display area is selected, the playback process unit 403starts, on the basis of the time stamp information of the selectedthumbnail image, playback of video content data from a time point whichis a predetermined time before the detected time point at which theselected thumbnail image appears, for example, from a time point whichis two seconds before.

Next, referring to a flow chart of FIG. 11, a description is given ofthe procedure of a process which is executed by the face image listdisplay process unit 301 in a case where a change of the face image sizeis instructed by the user.

If a change of the face image size, that is, a change of the size of theface image display area, is instructed by the user, for example, in thestate in which the indexing view screen is displayed (YES in step S301),the face image list display process unit 301 varies the number of rowsand the number of columns of the face thumbnail display area inaccordance with a designated, changed face image size (step S302). Then,the face image list display process unit 301 varies the time zones whichare allocated to the columns in the face thumbnail display area, on thebasis of the total time length of the video content data and the variednumber of columns (step S303). In step S303, the face image list displayprocess unit 301 determines the time zones allocated to the respectivecolumns, by dividing the total time length of the video content data bythe varied number of columns. On the basis of the time zones allocatedto the respective columns and the varied number of rows, the face imagelist display process unit 301 executes the face list display processwhich has been described with reference to steps S101 to S105 in FIG. 8(step 3304).

As has been described above, in the present embodiment, the list of faceimages of persons, which are acquired from the video content data, aredisplayed on the face thumbnail display area of the indexing viewscreen. In this case, a plurality of time zones each having the sametime length, which are obtained by dividing the total time length of thevideo content data by the number of columns at equal intervals, areallocated to a plurality of vertically elongated columns (a plurality oflarge sections) which are arranged and displayed along the horizontalaxis of the face thumbnail display area. In each of the columns, theface images belonging to the time zone allocated to this column aredisplayed in such a manner that the face images are arranged in theorder of time of appearance of the face images. Face images of a person,who appears only in a certain time zone, are displayed only in thecolumn (large section) corresponding to this time zone. On the otherhand, face images of a person, who appears in some time zones, aredisplayed in some columns (large sections) corresponding to these timezones. It is thus possible to easily understandably present, to theuser, which person appears in which time zone of video content data, andin what order of appearance, over the entire video content data.Therefore, the user can easily understand, without playing back eachrecorded video content data, in which time zone in the whole videocontent data each of persons appears.

In addition, in the present embodiment, when an event of instructing achange of the size of each face image display area (face image displaysize) is input, the number of columns included in the face thumbnaildisplay area is automatically varied in accordance with the changed sizethat is designated by the event, and the time zones that are allocatedto the columns included in the face thumbnail display area are alsoautomatically varied on the basis of the total time length of the videocontent data and the varied number of columns. Therefore, even in thecase where the face image display size is changed by the user, it ispossible to present, to the user, in which time zone in the whole videocontent data each person appears.

Depending on video content data, in some cases, there is a time zone inwhich no person appears. In the present embodiment, however, the bellowsthumbnails, as well as the face thumbnails, are displayed. Thus, even inthe time zone in which no person appears, the content of video contentdata in that time zone can be presented to the user.

The procedure of the record programming process of the presentembodiment can all be realized by software. Therefore, by installing thesoftware in an ordinary computer via a computer-readable memory medium,the same advantageous effects as in the present embodiment can easily berealized.

The electronic apparatus of the present embodiment can be realized bynot only the computer 10, but also by various consumer electronicapparatuses such as an HDD recorder, a DVD recorder and a TV apparatus.In this case, the functions of the TV application program 202 can berealized by hardware such as a DSP or a microcomputer.

While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, theseembodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are notintended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methodsand systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of otherforms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in theform of the methods and systems described herein may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims andtheir equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications aswould fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.

1. An electronic apparatus comprising: a face image extraction unitconfigured to extract face images of persons from a plurality of frameswhich constitute video content data, and to output time stampinformation indicative of time points at which the extracted face imagesappear; and a face image list display process unit configured to displaya list of the extracted face images on a two-dimensional display area,wherein the two-dimensional display area includes a plurality of faceimage display areas which are arranged in a matrix including a pluralityof rows and a plurality of columns, a plurality of time zones eachhaving the same time length, which are obtained by dividing a total timelength of the video content data by the number of the plurality ofcolumns at equal intervals, are allocated to the plurality of columns,respectively, and the face image list display process unit is configuredto display, based on the time stamp information corresponding to each ofthe extracted face images, the face images, which belong to the timezone allocated to each column, on the face image display areas of eachcolumn, by arranging the face images in an order of time of appearanceof the face images.
 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the face image list display process unit is configured toselect, based on the time stamp information corresponding to each of theextracted face images, the same number of face images as the number ofrows from the face images which belong to the time zone allocated to thecolumn that is an object of a display process, and to display the samenumber of selected face images as the number of rows on the face imagedisplay areas in the column that is the object of the display process,by arranging the face images in the order of time of appearance of theface images.
 3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, whereinin a case where the number of face images belonging to the time zone,which is allocated to the column that is the object of the displayprocess, is larger than the number of rows, the face image list displayprocess unit preferentially selects, from the face images belonging tothe time zone allocated to the column that is the object of the displayprocess, face images with high frequency of appearance in this timezone.
 4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in acase where the number of face images belonging to the time zone, whichis allocated to the column that is the object of the display process, islarger than the number of rows, the face image list display process unitpreferentially selects, from the face images belonging to the time zoneallocated to the column that is the object of the display process, faceimages with a large size.
 5. The electronic apparatus according to claim1, wherein when an event of instructing a change of a size of each ofthe face image display areas is input, the face image list displayprocess unit varies the number of rows and the number of columnsincluded in the two dimensional display area in accordance with achanged size that is designated by the event, and varies the time zonesthat are allocated to the columns included in the two-dimensionaldisplay area based on the total time length of the video content dataand the varied number of columns.
 6. The electronic apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the face image list display process unit displays aplurality of thumbnail images, which correspond to a plurality of framesextracted from the video content data at equal time intervals, on athumbnail display area which is disposed on an upper side or a lowerside of the two-dimensional display area, by arranging the thumbnailimages in line, and selects, in a case where a certain thumbnail imageon the thumbnail display area is designated by a user, that one of theplurality of columns in the two-dimensional display area, to which thetime zone to which the designated thumbnail image belongs is allocated.7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising aplayback process unit which starts, when an invent of instructingplayback of the video content data is input in a state in which one ofthe face images displayed on the two-dimensional display area isselected, playback of the video content data, based on the time stampinformation of the selected face image, from a time point which is apredetermined time before a time point at which the selected face imageappears.
 8. A face image display method of displaying a list of faceimages of a person appearing in video content data, comprising:performing a face image extraction process of extracting face images ofpersons from a plurality of frames which constitute the video contentdata and outputting time stamp information indicative of time points atwhich the extracted face images appear; and performing a face image listdisplay process of displaying a list of faces images of a person, whoappears in the video content data, on a two-dimensional display area byusing the face images extracted by the face image extraction process,wherein the two-dimensional display area includes a plurality of faceimage display areas which are arranged in a matrix including a pluralityof rows and a plurality of columns, a plurality of time zones eachhaving the same time length, which are obtained by dividing a total timelength of the video content data by a number of the plurality of columnsat equal intervals, are allocated to the plurality of columns,respectively, and the face image list display process includesdisplaying, based on the time stamp information corresponding to each ofthe extracted face images, the face images, which belong to the timezone allocated to each column, on the face image display areas of eachcolumn, by arranging the face images in an order of time of appearanceof the face images.
 9. The face image display method according to claim8, wherein the face image list display process includes varying, when anevent of instructing a change of a size of each of the face imagedisplay areas is input, the number of rows and the number of columnsincluded in the two-dimensional display area in accordance with achanged size that is designated by the event, and varying the time zonesthat are allocated to the columns included in the two-dimensionaldisplay area on the basis of the total time length of the video contentdata and the varied number of columns.
 10. The face image display methodaccording to claim 8, wherein the face image list display processincludes displaying a plurality of thumbnail images, which correspond toa plurality of frames extracted from the video content data at equaltime intervals, on a thumbnail display area which is disposed on anupper side or a lower side of the two-dimensional display area, byarranging the thumbnail images in line, and selecting, when a certainthumbnail image on the thumbnail display area is designated by a user,that one of the plurality of columns in the two-dimensional displayarea, to which the time zone to which the designated thumbnail imagebelongs is allocated.